Teenagers should be allowed back on after-dark buses in South Pembrokeshire for good, says Angela Burns AM. A six-week trial that let the youngsters back on the Silcox operated routes after 6 pm came to an end last week. Unaccompanied under 18s were banned from using the services at the end of July after unacceptable behaviour by some youngsters on the late bus from Tenby to Kilgetty. Mrs. Burns lobbied to reverse the ban and after a meeting with Silcox, the police, school representatives and councillors, the bus company agreed to a temporary lifting of the ban. "This has now come to an end and I understand that the buses, especially the late night one from Tenby to Kilgetty was well policed and behaviour has improved markedly," she said. Mrs. Burns now hopes that the bus company will see a way to lift the ban permanently. "I understand there is to be another meeting between the interested parties and I shall be arguing for the youngsters to be allowed back on for good - now that it is dark so early in the evening, enabling them to get home safely is even more important." Mrs. Burns agrees with the police that the real source of the problem is underage drinking, in particular shops selling alcohol to under 18s. "This is the problem that we really need to stamp out altogether if we are to ensure there is no repeat of the misbehaviour on the buses," she added.
